Dan ban hits the Rhinos

LEEDS RHINOS’ hopes of a second successive Grand Final have been dealt a huge
blow with the loss of record-breaker Danny McGuire.

The star half-back, 29, has been handed a one-match ban and a £300 fine after
being found guilty by the Rugby Football League’s disciplinary committee of
a reckless high tackle.

It means McGuire, put on report for the hit on Louis Anderson during the
champions’ 27-20 win over Catalan Dragons last weekend, will miss Friday’s
play-off semi-final against Wigan at the DW Stadium.

The Rhinos may appeal and a spokesman said McGuire, who pleaded not guilty,
would make a decision this morning. McGuire could have been handed a
two-match.

Coach Brian McDermott, who spoke on behalf of his player at the hearing,
claimed it was a careless act and an “open-handed tackle” in an effort to
prevent an offload by Anderson.

Although McGuire hit Anderson’s head, McDermott argued he was aiming for the
ball and his arm would have made contact with the ball but for his opponent
falling in the tackle.

McGuire, who served a one-match ban earlier this season for a dangerous
tackle, broke former team-mate Keith Senior’s all-time Super League record
with his 200th try in the opening play-off win over Wakefield.

And he further demonstrated his importance to the Rhinos with the crucial try
against the Catalans before clinching the win with a late drop goal.

JAMES GRAHAM on Sunday bids to become the first Englishman to win the
NRL Grand Final since Adrian Morley in 2002. The ex-St Helens prop, now at
Canterbury Bulldogs, said: “I couldn’t be happier.”